Which term describes a closed fracture?

• A. Closed Fracture
• B. Open Fracture
• C. Dislocation
• D. Sprain

Answer: (A)

Fractures are breaks in bone. When the skin over the fracture remains intact, the fracture is described as closed. There is no external wound opening to the fracture, so the bone break is contained beneath the skin. This distinction matters because open fractures involve an open wound and higher infection risk, often requiring urgent debridement and antibiotics, while closed fractures are typically managed with immobilization and careful neurovascular checks. Dislocation refers to bones at a joint being out of place rather than a bone fracture itself, and a sprain is an injury to ligaments, not bone. So the term for a fracture with intact skin is closed fracture.